Free links to official Illinois state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 102 counties.
How to Search Illinois Criminal Records (Start Here)
Illinois criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Illinois state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Illinois repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Illinois Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
Illinois UCIA name-based checks via the CHIRP system. Cannabis expungement is also handled through ISP BOI.
$20 name-based UCIA
Public access fee
Per state-only check
UCIA name-based (CHIRP)
Primary method
How to submit
Illinois State Police
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
20 ILCS 2630
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What a state criminal-history check actually covers
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Illinois Criminal Records
2026
Illinois state-only check active
The Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification continues to process state criminal history checks via isp.illinois.gov.
For most non-employment uses, an Illinois state-only check from the Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification is sufficient.
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Step 2 — Choose your method
UCIA name-based (CHIRP) or fingerprint Access & Review. Current fee: $20 name-based UCIA.
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Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at isp.illinois.gov — never a third-party data broker.
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Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Illinois Criminal Records
MYTH"Illinois background check shows everything."
FACTThe Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification check covers ONLY Illinois arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
MYTH"Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
FACTOnly isp.illinois.gov (the official Illinois repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
MYTH"Sealed records will show on a check."
FACTRecords sealed or expunged under Illinois law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
MYTH"Arrest = conviction on my record."
FACTAn arrest is not a conviction. Most Illinois public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
MYTH"State and FBI checks return the same data."
FACTThe Illinois state check shows Illinois-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
The Illinois Supreme Court has provided certain forms in languages other than English on their website. Please go to https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/ for further information about those forms. Illinois Legal Aid Online provides a guided interview called an Easy Form that will help you fill out the forms. The Easy Form asks you questions and completes the necessary forms with your answers. It is free to use. The Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s Office provides both paper and electronic court forms for you to use in your case.
The sheriff's side of Illinois record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony) and three counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography ... Naperville, IL. Evidence was seized and extensive forensic examination was required. On September 4, 2025, The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office approved an arrest warrant
The correctional facility consistently receives high marks from the Illinois Department of Corrections and continues to operate in an efficient, cost-effective manner, despite a rapidly increasing population. In 1868, a $20,000 two-story brick courthouse and jail was built on land donated by Wheaton resident Warren Wheaton. This building in downtown Wheaton served DuPage County until 1896. In 1896, a new jail and Sheriff's office was erected. The new jail was built to house 8 inmates, but was soon expanded to house 48.
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board (PRB) is a separate entity from the Illinois Department of Corrections. The PRB is an independent body whose members are appointed by the Governor of Illinois. The PRB imposes release conditions for offenders exiting penal facilities, revokes and restores good conduct credits from inmates, conducts hearings to determine whether parolees have violated conditions of parole, and awards certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct
The Logan County Circuit Court ... System at Illinois State University in Normal. The 3,987 records in the database were extracted from the Logan County Circuit Court Criminal Case Files (IRAD Accession 3/0005/01). Please note that the criminal case files for the Logan County ...
Day-to-day records for Madison County pass through the clerk's office reached here. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
The sheriff's side of Illinois record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Don R. Everhart, Jr., Mclean County Circuit Clerk, is pleased to present this information for public access. Freedom of Information Act: Court records are exempt from the requirements of the Act. The judiciary is exempt. Copley Press, Inc. v. Administrative Office of the Courts, 271 Ill.
Law-enforcement records for Illinois route through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, go to www.adobe.com · 04/11/2022 - Lis Pendens & Notice of Foreclosure - Martin, Klatt & Unknown Heirs of Mary Dunmire 2022FC6 Lis Pendens & Notice of Foreclosure Dunmire
Attorney Court Date Requests · It is the mission of the Winnebago County Circuit Clerk's Office to provide accurate information and support to the judicial system. According to the Illinois State Statutes, the responsibility of the circuit clerk is to be the keeper of the court record.
View Court Case Information · Court case information can be viewed on this website. You may search for specific case information using participant name or case number · Search by Participant Name · To search by Participant Name, enter information below in Last Name First Name format · Smith ...
The sheriff's side of Illinois record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Important: IDOC has implemented new processes for non-privileged incoming mail and publications · Changes are effective immediately. More information is available here
Please note that Judici operates solely as the webhost of the court's data. If you have questions concerning a case on Judici, you will need to contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly in the county where the case was heard. The following link will give you the mailing addresses and phone numbers for all the County Circuit Clerks in Illinois: http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CircuitCourtJudges/CCC_County.asp
The LaSalle County Circuit Clerk's records are open to any member of the public for inspection or to obtain copies during regular business hours at the office holding the records to the extent allowed by applicable statute, court rule or court order.
The sheriff's side of Champaign County record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Court case information for Illinois — dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Welcome to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, a dynamic correctional and law enforcement agency committed to tending to the diverse needs of our modern community. We hope you find the website useful and comprehensive as we continue to enhance our virtual services.
This page is operated by Judici.com, not a court. Links to this page do not constitute endorsement by any court of the content, policies, or services offered here · For questions or comments about this web site, please see our Contacts Page
The sheriff's side of Illinois record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Completed forms can be mailed to the Bureau of Identification at 260 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois or dropped off in the main entrance vestibule at the above address. For more information follow the link https://isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/MyRecord for additional information.
Federal court cases touching Illinois — bankruptcy, federal civil, and federal criminal — sit in PACER rather than the county system. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
102 Illinois counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which Illinois counties publish jail rosters and sheriff records online
47 of Illinois's 104 counties run their own online source for jail rosters and sheriff records, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
How do I run an official Illinois background check?▼
Illinois's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification. Begin the request at isp.illinois.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Illinois statute.
Are Illinois criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Illinois is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification explains who can request what at isp.illinois.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Illinois?▼
A state check from the Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification (isp.illinois.gov) covers only criminal activity within Illinois. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Illinois criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification. The Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification documentation at isp.illinois.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct an Illinois criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Illinois criminal history, the Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at isp.illinois.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
